Highly versatile stem cells developed in the laboratory

Heading the Stem Cell and Cell Reprogramming Research Unit at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Dr. Mohan Mallesaya’s group found that it is possible to regenerate pluripotent stem cells from doutipotent stem cells.

Pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, are commonly used in regenerative medicine. However, they lack the ability to make certain types of cells. Also, when cultured, they have a highly heterogeneous nature, which can compromise the quality of the cell types generated.

Totipotent stem cells, on the other hand, are more versatile and predictable, but are more difficult to grow in the laboratory. Dr. Mallesaiah and his colleagues have developed a chemical solution that causes pluripotent cells in mice to become totipotent cells that they once were.

Totipotent stem cells have a higher degree of differentiation than pluripotent cellsLoic Jumeire, a doctoral student in Dr. Mallesaya’s lab and co-author of the study, explained.

” So, we need to find methods to grow pluripotent stem cells on the one hand, but then regenerate them towards totipotency, so in a way we can do the reverse. »

Cells with full potentialHe added, Easier to control than pluripotent cells because they are homogeneous.

If we want to believe that one day we will be able to harness all the genius of cell therapy, we will be able to create fully powered cells.Mr. Lumiere said.

The next steps are to improve the efficiency of the reprogramming approach and fully characterize the reprogrammed totipotent stem cells. Researchers want to increase the rate of pluripotent stem cells that become totipotent cells during treatment.

The results of this study are published in the journal Cell reports (new window) (in English).